Glyn Rees, Allora Advertiser
As many will be aware on Tuesday last week, so very sadly the Wattles fraternity, senior and junior, lost one of their great stalwarts in Mr Jack Duggan.
It will certainly be an adjustment for all who frequent Platz Oval at game time, senior and junior, to now see a vacant chair near the gateway aside the announcing box, a chair that in recent years has seen Jack, beside wife Shelley, as near permanent viewers of the achievements of all those on field in green and gold.
Jack’s commitment to Wattles over a virtual lifetime saw him honoured with Life Membership of both Wattles senior and junior clubs, along with the Central Downs Zone 5 Junior Rugby League that has provided so much opportunity for young players in the Wattles catchment area.
It can be said Jack was on hand to assist with or witness Wattles greatest achievements of the past 60 years.
It’s fair to say the Wattles Clubs and the Duggan name is synonymous.
Jack’s family reflects all that was and is Wattles, he and Shelley’s six children also all green and gold to the core.
Son’s Dan, Tony, John, Mark & Michael all wore the treasured colours at the club’s highest levels, Tony earning fame across the world in an inspiring local, State and international career.
While lone daughter Kathleen was honoured with the title of Wattles 2001 Princess and Charity Princess, Wattles had no women’s team, but she proved her talents on fi eld with the Toowoomba Fillies women’s State League combination, and represented Queensland.
The junior league experience started for Jack and Shelley with eldest son Dan who first ran on in Wattles colours as an Under 8 in 1984.
That family league experience is still active 40 years later in 2024 with youngest son Michael taking the fi eld for Wattles in the TRL Preliminary Final on September 8th, and Grandson Noah Hart playing for Wattles Under 13 in the Warwick & District Junior Rugby League semi-final on August 24th.
Be assured you can believe without doubt, the legacy of a devoted father and husband, and a Wattles and rugby league disciple that was Jack Duggan will stand long into the future.
Wattles Benchmarks – Jack witnessed a great local league transition in 1966 when the Allora-Clifton Club that became Wattles was formed, and was a senior player when the Warriors won their initial A Grade premiership back in 1970.
Wattles second top-grade premiership reached the club trophy cabinet in 1997, with Jack Duggan a team manager/selector.
If we measure club success in A Grade or any premiership, Jack Duggan was trackside plying his trade as a Wattles committed and loyal devotee.
Devoted Volunteer – As a volunteer committee member over decades along with Shelley, Jack played key roles with the club and associated groups, in Wattle’s advancement through various administration challenges through lean years and bountiful, not forgetting those times of great success.
Country Boy at Heart – Hailing from Hendon near Allora, Jack’s football life began at St Patrick’s School in Allora, along with class mate and future NRL coach Wayne Bennett.
He went on to wear the Allora colours as a junior 7 stone 7 lb player in the Brian Pigeon Memorial Shield winning two premierships, Pittsworth one of many regional opponents.
As an Under 18 player, Jack graduated to the Allora – Clifton senior club ranks in 1967, the club later adopting the name of Wattles in 1969.
Injury robbed Jack of a premiership in 1970, Wattles first A Grade title, a regular team member throughout the season unavailable for the historic season decider.
A more than respected community member across the Darling Downs league region, Jack was also a very capable fullback or centre who earned plenty of on fi eld respect and never took a backward step.
Wattles Statesman – Jack served as a long-standing Vice-President of Wattles before graduating to President from 002 – 2004 and 2006, and continued to be an active club committee member and in recent years was an admirable and respected performer as the senior club Patron until his recent passing.
Deserved Recognition – Back in July 2023 Jack was afforded a significant honour along with a fellow league stalwart Gary Sutton of Pittsworth, of having a shield named in their honour to be contested in one of the annual Toowoomba Rugby League fixtures between the Wattles Warriors and the Pittsworth Danes.
At the time, both Jack and Gary could boast an involvement in rugby league with their clubs and the Toowoomba Rugby League in excess of fi fty years.
The Jack Duggan – Gary Sutton Shield was to not only recognise the contributions of two iconic rugby league identities, but also a century long association of two high achieving clubs.
Former Toowoomba Rugby League official and international player Greg Platz considered having played with both Gary and Jack a privilege.
“Both gentlemen have given enormous contributions to their clubs and the Toowoomba Rugby League, as players, coaches, committee officials, club sponsors and both have been bestowed so deservedly with their club Life Membership recognising their efforts.”
This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 25 September 2024.
